Breer: Will the Cowboys’ offensive line still be overwhelming?

[xwalker]

Free started here and maintained his starting spot because his coaches believed he was the best man for the job. If they didn't feel he was the best man for the job, they would have replaced him. They had the opportunity to do that and didn't. You're welcome to speculate on why, but that doesn't change the fact that they saw these players every day in practice and still did not choose them over Free. In their minds at least (and that's not saying coaches are always right), Free was the better choice to be the starting right tackle.

That is definitely not true.

The OL coach that was the architect of this OLine, wanted to bench Free. Bill Callahan preferred Parnell over Free going back to 2012 when they split snaps the final 4 games of the season. They split snaps thing was a Jerry decision after Callahan and Garrett were at odds over it most of that season. It was the beginning of the feud that ended up with Callahan making a lateral move to the Skins when his contract was up.

The next season Callahan against appealed directly to Jerry and was promoted to play caller. Frank Pollack took over as the OL coach; although, Callahan still had the title. Pollack was not going to challenge Garrett the way the Callahan did.

In 2014 Parnell played 7 games including 2 playoff games and far outplayed Free. There was no comparison in run blocking with Parnell being dominant in that area and Parnell gave up 1 sack in 7 games (Bob Sturm verified that Parnell didn't give up sacks, it's not just my opinion).

 

[CowboyRoy]

Actually, as I recall anyway, we had Leary on the bench last year, where he in all likelihood would have stayed had Collins not been injured. And Leary is and always has been strictly a guard in the pros.



No, I don't see any one guy either. But I see more guys that I feel could get us through a game or two if they were called upon. Guys like Green and Cleary who I've seen play that I hadn't seen at all prior to last season. That's where I feel a bit better. As well as the addition of a solid, if unspectacular veteran in Byron Bell.



I honestly don't think there was a real "competition" there between Cooper and Green. I firmly believe that the team was just trying to work on line versatility if they should ever be struck with injury.

As for Green, sure, health will always be a legit concern, no denying it. But what I'm saying is that if he's able to play from a health standpoint, he's capable of playing out there. When he did fill in at left tackle, he shouted that he could handle it and wasn't a big liability for the offense. Whether he physically holds up is another story. That's why I'm glad that he's not being penciled in as a starter at either guard or right tackle. That would mean depending on a proven unreliable player to be reliable and a bad idea.

For a guy like Chaz Green, I think that not being a starter gives him the best chance of being available if he's needed.

Yep, I agree. Keep him as a backup. That way he isnt hurt when he has to come in for a game or two. No sense in making someone a starter that isnt reliable.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Collins was injured all season not on the bench. He started the first 3 games and was never active again. He was placed on IR October 4th.

Leary was on the bench until Collins got injured.

Yah, so what? There were two of them. One a starter and one a backup.

 

[CCBoy]

That is definitely not true.

The OL coach that was the architect of this OLine, wanted to bench Free. Bill Callahan preferred Parnell over Free going back to 2012 when they split snaps the final 4 games of the season. They split snaps thing was a Jerry decision after Callahan and Garrett were at odds over it most of that season. It was the beginning of the feud that ended up with Callahan making a lateral move to the Skins when his contract was up.

The next season Callahan against appealed directly to Jerry and was promoted to play caller. Frank Pollack took over as the OL coach; although, Callahan still had the title. Pollack was not going to challenge Garrett the way the Callahan did.

In 2014 Parnell played 7 games including 2 playoff games and far outplayed Free. There was no comparison in run blocking with Parnell being dominant in that area and Parnell gave up 1 sack in 7 games (Bob Sturm verified that Parnell didn't give up sacks, it's not just my opinion).

Jason Garrett has been doing pretty good in the respect and team leadership departments, since his kind of guys were given preference for the past two seasons. Standard building hasn't been a bunch of roses...but good.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

That is definitely not true.

The OL coach that was the architect of this OLine, wanted to bench Free. Bill Callahan preferred Parnell over Free going back to 2012 when they split snaps the final 4 games of the season. They split snaps thing was a Jerry decision after Callahan and Garrett were at odds over it most of that season. It was the beginning of the feud that ended up with Callahan making a lateral move to the Skins when his contract was up.

The next season Callahan against appealed directly to Jerry and was promoted to play caller. Frank Pollack took over as the OL coach; although, Callahan still had the title. Pollack was not going to challenge Garrett the way the Callahan did.

In 2014 Parnell played 7 games including 2 playoff games and far outplayed Free. There was no comparison in run blocking with Parnell being dominant in that area and Parnell gave up 1 sack in 7 games (Bob Sturm verified that Parnell didn't give up sacks, it's not just my opinion).

You have no proof that Callahan wanted to bench Free.

You have no proof that Callahan demanded that Jerry make him play caller.

You're making up stories about the division of labor between Pollack and Callahan.

Parnell did play well when Free went down in 2014.

Oh and excuses as to why you cannot provide proof does not mean we should buy what you are selling. Significant claims require significant proof.

 

[xwalker]

Yah, so what? There were two of them. One a starter and one a backup.

There is only 1 when the other is on IR.

 

[Clarkson]

Thanks Albert.

I really can't believe people like him get paid for crap like that. It's so simple and surface level. Sports journalism is an all-time joke right now.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There is only 1 when the other is on IR.

Ok buddy, whatever you say.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hated losing Leary but I honestly think this OL can be even better than it was.

 

[Stash]

I hated losing Leary but I honestly think this OL can be even better than it was.

Same here.

I think Collins can be a marked improvement over last year's Doug Free at right tackle, and if Cooper can prove to be even serviceable at left guard, they could be better overall.